The Stormwater Utility was established in 2024 by Ordinance 3138-24 to directly address the effects of climate change and escalating stormwater hazards in the Township of Maplewood.

Funding of the Stormwater Utility

Funding for the Stormwater Utility’s activities may include, but not be limited to, the following: 

1. Stormwater Management Fees;
2. Civil penalties and damage assessments imposed for or arising from the violation of the Township’s stormwater management ordinance;
3. Stormwater permit and inspection fees;
4. The proceeds of bonds or notes issued pursuant to the Local Bond Law, N.J.S.A. 40A:2-1 et seq.;
5. The proceeds of loans made by governmental entities such as the State or federal government; and
6. Other funds or income obtained from federal, state, local, and private grants, or revolving funds.

To the extent that Stormwater Management Fees collected are insufficient to construct needed Stormwater Management System components, the cost of the same may be paid from such Township funds as may be determined by the Township Committee.

Purposes of the Stormwater Utility Fund

All revenues generated by or on behalf of the Stormwater Utility shall be deposited in the Stormwater Utility Fund and used exclusively for the Stormwater Utility as further described below. Funds in the Stormwater Utility Fund shall be limited to the following purposes: 

1. The acquisition by gift, purchase, or condemnation of real and personal property, and interests therein, necessary to construct, operate, and maintain stormwater control facilities;
2. All costs of administration and implementation of the stormwater management program, including the establishment of reasonable operating and capital reserves to meet unanticipated or emergency stormwater management requirements;
3. The costs of inventorying assets currently in place and of evaluating what is needed to address future stormwater management needs;
4. Engineering and design, debt service and related financing expenses, construction costs for new facilities, and enlargement or improvement of existing facilities;
5. Installation of Green Infrastructure practices;
6. Operation and maintenance of the stormwater management system;
7. Monitoring, surveillance, and inspection of the stormwater management system;
8. Water quality monitoring and water quality programs related to surface waters;
9. Retrofitting developed areas for pollution control;
10. Inspection and enforcement activities;
11. Billing and administrative costs, to the extent permitted by the Act;
12. Public education and outreach related to stormwater management;
13. Other activities which are reasonably required, including but not limited to those that are reasonable and necessary to comply with the municipal separate storm sewer system (MS4) permit of the Township and the Act;
14. Any other purpose permitted by the Act or applicable law.